Tuesday, December 18, 2007

Mitt Romney: A Leader To Turn Off The Sanctuary Magnets"By: Congressman Phil GingreyTownhall"Our borders and ports of entry are hemorrhaging with illegal immigrants, and the American people are ready for a president that will have the courage to stand up and lead. America needs a president that will come to the White House with new ideas and demand results. For years, our country has maintained a system that both encourages and ignores lawlessness and we can no longer afford to keep the status quo. Mitt Romney has the values, vision and track record to provide the much-required leadership our nation needs to address this current crisis." ...

"Governor Romney first and foremost believes the most important step in addressing illegal immigration is to effectively and immediately secure our borders. He will work to carry out the promise Congress made to the American people to build a physical and technological fence along the southern border – a fight in which I am proud to have been a leader in Washington. "However, Governor Romney is the only presidential candidate that realizes in order to secure the borders, our country will need to build more than just a fence. We need to build an infrastructure and implement policies in our states and our cities that will not attract, but instead discourage illegal immigration. Mitt Romney understands this vision and worked as Governor to create this environment in Massachusetts. He opposed giving driver's licenses to illegal immigrants and fought to have English taught in classrooms. In 2004, he vetoed a plan that would have granted illegal immigrants the benefit of in-state tuition. He is the candidate Americans can trust to stop the incentives that encourage individuals to illegally cross our borders every day." ...

"Rudy Giuliani is a credible Republican candidate, but his position on illegal immigration causes me concern. Mayor Giuliani has consistently stood behind New York's policies with regard to illegal immigrants. He has stated that New York City was not a sanctuary city. However, in fact, the non-partisan Congressional Research Service last year listed New York City as a sanctuary city. "In Congress, I have been a leading opponent to a piece of legislation called the DREAM Act, which among other things would give illegal immigrants the benefit of in-state tuition. I have been greatly disappointed to hear that another Republican candidate, Governor Huckabee, proposed a similar policy in Arkansas. "I understand some people may view these as compassionate policies or stances taken in the best interest of their cities or states. But in reality, they are the very misguided incentives that have drawn more and more illegal immigrants to our country every year. Put simply, they are bad for America."